Twelve people killed in Afghanistan

Kabul, April 27 (DPA) Five Afghan policemen and two civilians were killed in a roadside bomb blast in a restive southern province, where five Taliban militants were also killed, officials said Monday. The five insurgents were killed by Afghan and coalition forces in Zharai district of the southern province of Kandahar Monday morning, the US military said in a statement.

Troops detained 10 suspects from several compounds in the area, the statement said. “Despite the careless actions of the militants who needlessly endangered the lives of civilians, forces protected approximately 100 adults and more than 50 children.”

In another incident, five Afghan policemen and two civilians were killed by a roadside bomb in the district Sunday afternoon, the interior ministry said Monday.

Two more policemen and two civilians were also wounded when one of police vehicles was blown up in the district’s Lakokhel area, the statement said.

The bombing happened the same day that officials burned 6.5 tonnes of narcotics seized in operations this year, on the northern outskirts of Kabul city.

Afghanistan produces more than 90 percent of the world’s opiates.

Two insurgents were also detained by Afghan and US-led coalition forces in Sarkani district of eastern Kunar province Monday, the US military said, accusing them of involvement in attacks against the coalition forces in the province.